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Stimulant Abuse in the Workplace

Stimulant abuse by employees is becoming more common in North America, and according to the experts there is no available data about just how prevalent this practice is but what is known is that the number of people who abuse stimulant drugs and who use performance enhancing drugs in the workplace is on the rise. In confidential interviews and surveys many people admitted to the use of stimulants used to treat ADHD in order to get more work done. These drugs include Concerta, Vyvanse, Ritalin, and Adderall as well as generic names like methylphenidate. This form of substance abuse can be found in almost every sector and industry an it is becoming a growing problem. Many employers and professional organizations ban the use of these drugs unless an individual has a legitimate medical diagnosis of ADHD.

Performance enhancing drugs in the workplace is nothing new, especially in the world of professional sports and in sectors where workers must be alerts and put in long hours. Wall street traders and high powered finance professionals have admitted to stimulant abuse in order to put in more hours and get more done each day. According to Timberline Knolls medical director Dr. Kimberly Dennis “You’d see addiction in students, but it was pretty rare to see it in an adult. We are definitely seeing more than one year ago, more than two years ago, especially in the age range of 25 to 45.” Medical professionals are alarmed because stimulant abuse can have a number of health problems associated with it. These health problems include mental issues like anxiety, depression and paranoia, as well as physical problems from the effects of these drugs.